Celena Shafer, soprano

Photo credit: Dario Acosta
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"[Shafer is] faultless in the business of bringing charm, vivacity and light, shining tone to every note she sings, not to mention dazzling coloratura. She's the embodiment of Viennese style and the binding ingredient of the production, physically as well as vocally. I looked forward to her every appearance; her ovation was deservedly huge."
~ Vancouver Sun

"Her voice is as clear as running water, with just the right amount of ring to it, and wonderfully sensitive to dynamics. There is a touch of Sutherland about the sound, with a perfect lightness, and an ability to dance her coloratura on point."
~ Opera Now

"The soprano Celena Shafer was brilliant...singing with bright, focused sound and utter confidence."
~ New York Times

“Soprano Celena Shafer, a longtime Utah Opera favorite, gave another dazzling performance as Rosina on Saturday. The role was written for a mezzo-soprano, but only the most territorial mezzo could object to loaning it to a singer of Shafer’s caliber once in a while. She embellished every aria generously — but never gratuitously — with sparkling pinpoint accuracy.“ - Barber of Seville, Utah Opera, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, May 12, 2013

"Shafer, one of the finest singers Utah has ever produced, brought the lovestruck young woman vividly to life on opening night... Her voice, which has the brilliance and polish of diamonds, was in fine form. Her scintillating rendition of the showpiece aria "Caro nome" brought down the house." - Gilda in Rigoletto, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, January 22, 2012

"Utah soprano Celena Shafer performed in three of the four works. Her pure sound elevated the angelic melody of 'Laudate Dominum' and floated it sweetly above the orchestra. In an about-face, she took the concert to intermission, staggering onstage in character, with wine glass in hand to sing 'Glitter and Be Gay.' Her vocal fireworks and broad characterization brought down the house." - Utah Chamber Artists, The Salt Lake Tribune, March 1, 2011

"Wonderfully musical, Shafer sings with expression, feeling and lyricism, and it's no exaggeration to say she owns whatever she sings." - Recital for Utah Symphony, Deseret News, July 23, 2009

"Shafer's extraordinary vocal gifts, coupled with her exuberant commitment to everything she sings, have made her a favorite at Utah Opera. The amazing vocal control she displayed Saturday left one wondering whether there's anything she can't sing. " - Norina in Don Pasquale, Utah Opera, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 18, 2009

"The true star of this production, however, aside from the production itself, is Celena Shafer as Norina. Giving a knockout performance, she was in top form vocally, and her acting was stellar." - Norina in Don Pasquale, Utah Opera, The Deseret News, May 16, 2009

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Barber of Seville, Utah Opera, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE (May 12, 2013)